Automotive News (Page 1138)

Automotive News

This section of Torque News provides the latest auto news and updates from the car manufacturers. Every day number of news stories and editorials are published here that give our readers an overview of what is happening in the automotive industry. Read this section daily to find out about new cars, vehicle reviews and car pictures. Torque News is an automotive news website by Hareyan Publishing, LLC, dedicated to covering the latest news, reviews and opinions about the car industry.

Ford recycling old carpet into head covers

By Don Bain on April 11, 2011 - 4:46PM

Ford's use of a nylon resin made from 100 percent recycled carpet, known as EcoLon, has kept more than 4.1 million pounds of carpet out of landfills, EcoLon is used for cylinder head covers, the first automotive product of its kind manufactured from recycled nylon for use in the Ford Escape, Fusion, Mustang and F-150.

Driving costs increase for 2011, says AAA, but that's not counting gas

By John Matras on April 11, 2011 - 2:54PM

It's more expensive to drive this year, says the American Automobile Association, but it's not what you think. Costs are up by an average of 1.9 cents per mile to 58.5 cents per mile led by the cost of tires, and the improved overall average gas mileage didn't offset the increased fuel prices...but that was before prices started the recent rapid rise.

Kia Motors captures first racing victory ever

By Don Bain on April 11, 2011 - 2:04PM

Driving the No. 10 Infinity Audio Kia Forte Koup, Michael Galati and Nic Jonsson took first place in the GRAND-AM Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge race April 9, scoring Kia's first racing victory in company history.

2011 Dodge Durango bursts into flames during DC parade

By Patrick Rall on April 11, 2011 - 12:10PM

The 2011 Dodge Durango has been completely redesigned from the previous generation of the full-sized SUV but Chrysler will have to face some questions after a new Durango Citadel burst into flames during the Washington DC Cherry Blossom Parade.

Toyota announces 3-day production schedule through April 25

By Frank Sherosky on April 11, 2011 - 10:59AM

Toyota announced a 3-day production schedule for the remaining days of Easter week in April, according to a news flash on CNBC this morning. Question is, in light of more earthquake reports, might this new schedule last longer?

A review of one of America’s best-selling cars - the 2011 Ford Fusion

By Patrick Rall on April 11, 2011 - 10:54AM

Over the past year, the 2011 Ford Fusion has been one of the bestselling cars in the US market with both standard gas and hybrid variants taking on the best of what Japan has to offer, helping Ford Motor Company to become the sales leader in the US and recently, I had a chance to spend some time in a 2011 Fusion.

Nissan investigating no-start problem with 2011 Leaf electric vehicle

By Patrick Rall on April 11, 2011 - 10:33AM

Today, Nissan was able to resume normal production of the 2011 Leaf exactly a month after the earthquake rocked Japan on March 11th but as the Japanese automaker prepares to ramp up production and delivery of the electric vehicle – they are forced to deal with reports from Japan and the US about the Leaf’s electric drivetrain failing to start.

Dodge Mopar Challenger V-10 Drag Pack sets new NHRA record

By John Matras on April 11, 2011 - 10:30AM

Shades of the Sixties. A factory-built drag-strip only version of the Dodge Challenger pony car, the Mopar Challenger V-10 Drag Pak, has set a new National Hot Rod Association record.

SAE 2011 World Congress to include Career Fair at Detroit Cobo Center

By Frank Sherosky on April 10, 2011 - 10:49AM

Once again, the SAE 2011 World Congress will provide more than just engineering exhibitors, but a Career Fair which will provide the opportunity for mobility industry engineers and professionals to explore available jobs and network with auto industry and engineering professionals.

Seven overlooked vehicles you must consider in 2011

By Don Bain on April 9, 2011 - 11:16PM

The National Auto Dealers Association (NADA) has released a list of vehicles not likely to be first in the buyers mind, but deserving of a thorough look due to a combination of quality engineering, overall design, prized features, great performance and excellent fuel efficiency. In short, NADA feels these vehicles show heightened value comparing the MSRP to a checklist of desired traits and abilities.

When buying cars, women pick practicality over power

By Don Bain on April 9, 2011 - 6:32PM

According to TrueCar.com, the three brands with the highest percentage of female buyers are MINI, Kia and Honda. Nearly half the sales of these relatively fuel-efficient brands are to women. Men gravitate towards models and lines like Porsche, Corvette, BMW M3, Audi S5 and big powerful trucks.

Navistar demonstrates dual-fuel protoype at the Mid-America Trucking Show

By Frank Sherosky on April 9, 2011 - 12:15PM

Navistar International Corporation (NYSE: NAV) has continued its leadership in alternative fueled vehicles with the demonstration of a prototype 2011 International® ProStar®+ powered by a 13-liter MaxxForce® dual fuel engine—diesel and liquefied natural gas (LNG), at the Mid-America Trucking Show in Louisville, Kentucky.

EPA sets milestone for alternate fuel industry with regulation amendments

By Frank Sherosky on April 9, 2011 - 11:26AM

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced amended regulations that make it easier to convert cars and trucks to run on natural gas.

Toyota stopping US production in wake of earthquake

By Patrick Rall on April 8, 2011 - 7:56PM

Toyota Motor Corp has announced that they will stop production for five days over the course of the next month at almost all of their North American assembly and engine plants in an effort to preserve components as the full force of the Japanese hits the industry.

General Motors recalls 2011 Chevrolet Cruze sedans for steering wheel risk

By Patrick Rall on April 8, 2011 - 7:22PM

The 2011 Chevrolet Cruze has quickly climbed the sales charts but GM’s new compact sedan has hit its first roadblock as the automaker has announced the first recall over a risk of the steering wheel not being attached properly.

The Mopar Ram Runner in production form heads to Moab

By Patrick Rall on April 8, 2011 - 5:08PM

Last year, Mopar unveiled their off-road ready Ford Raptor-fighter known as the Ram Runner and after a year of touring auto shows around the country, Mopar will bring the Ram Runner back to Moab to introduce the production version of this high performance off-road package.

The Jeep pickup returns to Moab with the Jeep Wrangler JK-8 Independence

By Patrick Rall on April 8, 2011 - 4:41PM

The Jeep Wrangler JK-8 Independence comes to Moab to show off the pickup-Jeep style that enthusiasts have been clamoring for since the last Scrambler CJ-8 rolled off the line in the 1980s.

Ford among top honors for 2011 Edison Best New Product Award

By Frank Sherosky on April 8, 2011 - 4:37PM

Three of Ford’s latest industry-exclusive technologies – rear inflatable seat belts, MyFord Touch™ and MyKey® – took Gold at the internationally known 2011 Edison Best New Product Awards™ gala in New York.

The Jeep Grand Cherokee Off-Road Edition comes to Moab

By Patrick Rall on April 8, 2011 - 4:18PM

Among the 7 Mopar-modified Jeep vehicles that will be in attendance at the 2011 Easter Jeep Safari in Moab, Utah will be the Jeep Grand Cherokee Off-Road Edition that made its grand debut in the Mopar display at the 2010 SEMA Show in Las Vegas.

The Jeep Wrangler Blue Crush attacks Moab

By Patrick Rall on April 8, 2011 - 3:59PM

While some of the Moparized Jeep models making their public debut at the 2011 Easter Jeep Safari on April 16th are production vehicles with a handful of Mopar accessories added to make them even more capable – the Wrangler Blue Crush is an outrageous purpose built vehicle that would be hard pressed the fit in on any public road.

AeroVironment and NRG Energy to provide EV fast charging stations in Texas

By Frank Sherosky on April 8, 2011 - 3:29PM

AeroVironment, Inc. (NASDAQ: AVAV) has officially joined forces with NRG Energy, Inc. (NYSE: NRG) to expand the privately funded, comprehensive eVgoSM electric vehicle (EV) charging “ecosystem”.

The Jeep Cherokee Overland makes its US debut in Moab

By Patrick Rall on April 8, 2011 - 2:56PM

The SUV pictured below is commonly known as the Jeep Liberty to American consumers but to outside of the US, the Liberty is known as the Cherokee so to show a little Mopar love to a non-US model, the 2011 Easter Jeep Safari will introduce the US to the Jeep Cherokee Overland.

BMW and Brilliance joint venture to show 5-Series plug-in hybrid at Shanghai show

By John Matras on April 8, 2011 - 1:50PM

BMW Brilliance Automotive, a joint venture between BMW and the Chinese automaker Brilliance will use the upcoming Shanghai Auto Show to premiere a prototype of a plug-in hybrid sedan. The hybrid is based on the long-wheelbase version of the BMW 5-Series, a model exclusively for the Chinese market, built by Brilliance at its facilities in Shenyang, Chinyang, China.

The Jeep Compass Canyon is headed to Moab

By Patrick Rall on April 8, 2011 - 1:46PM

Jeep looks to shed the less-than-trail-rated capabilities of the refreshed Compass compact SUV and along with the Grand Cherokee front end for 2011 models, Mopar has added a variety of items to make this the first Compass that will tackle the off-road world of Moab, Utah.

Introducing the Jeep Wrangler Pork Chop

By Patrick Rall on April 8, 2011 - 1:29PM

The Jeep Wrangler is known for its off-roading capacities bolstered by its lightweight but when you start adding accessories and optional items, the topless Jeep can get heavy in a hurry so Mopar has “trimmed the fat” with the Wrangler Pork Chop for the 2011 Easter Jeep Safari.

Mopar builds the Hemi-powered Jeep Wrangler Renegade for Moab

By Patrick Rall on April 8, 2011 - 1:05PM

The Jeep Wrangler Renegade headed to the 2011 Easter Jeep Safari looks like a pretty standard production-issue Wrangler but under the hood of this topless Jeep is the 6.4L Hemi from Chrysler’s Street and Racing Technology (SRT) division.

The Easter Jeep Safari special show vehicles are announced

By Patrick Rall on April 8, 2011 - 12:41PM

Every year, the Chrysler Corporation sponsors the Easter Jeep Safari in Moab, Utah with thousands of hardcore off-roaders coming from around the country to show off their machines and Jeep makes its presence felt each year by bringing out a handful of Mopar-modified models sure to turn heads.

Chrysler unveils the Ram 1500 Express

By Patrick Rall on April 7, 2011 - 9:13PM

In February the Ram Truck brand debuted a new entry-level half ton pickup packing the 5.7L Hemi engine with the code name “Adventurer” and today, Chrysler’s truck crew unveiled the production version with the name Ram 1500 Express.

Mercedes-Benz Concept A-Class establishes new compact class era

By Frank Sherosky on April 7, 2011 - 4:42PM

Just as Mercedes-Benz USA (MBUSA) reported March with a 12.6 % sales improvement over March 2010, plus the company's highest March volume and first quarter on record, the company revealed a new concept-class era with the Concept A-Class which makes its debut at both the 2011 New York and Shanghai Auto Shows later this month.

Electric Car Wars: new models, manufacturers vie for market penetration

By Don Bain on April 7, 2011 - 3:40PM

Maryland-based Genovation Cars has announced the unveiling of its G2 plug-in electric car at the SAE 2011 World Congress in the Detroit Cobo Center April 12-14. Meanwhile across the nation T3 Motion has just completed the prototype of its Consumer Electric Vehicle, designated R3, and is displaying it at their headquarters in Costa Mesa, CA.

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